Deveronvale 0 - 2 Aberdeen

An Aberdeen Development Side safely advanced into the second round of the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup on Tuesday night thanks to a 2-0 victory over Deveronvale in Macduff.

The Highland League hosts were seconds away from going in at half-time level, but an excellent free-kick courtesy of Alfie Stewart in the 45th minute sent the Dons on their way. Alfie Bavidge added a second goal with eight minutes remaining to wrap up a positive nights work in Buchan.

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Scott Anderson was supported in the dugout on his return to his former club by first team coaches Peter Leven and Emir Bajrami. They named a side that included the on-loan Cove Rangers duo Adam Emslie and Findlay Marshall. Dylan Lobban captained the Development Dons; they were aided by U18’s Timothy Akindileni and Fraser Mackie in the XI.

Fraser Mackie had the first sight of goal for the young Dons, his effort deflected over and behind for a corner – Stewart’s effort from the early dead ball into the side netting.

Alfie Bavidge saw his first real chance of the contest go abegging after he raced onto Stewart’s through ball: the Dons midfielder pick pocketed Reid in the middle of the park. It was just one touch to many for Alfie who tried to round Hopkinson in the ‘Vale goal, the keeper collecting at the feet of the forward.

The Dons pressure continued to mount as the chances began to pile up. Cammy Wilson came the closest yet, his effort from close range seemingly taking a nick that meant it struck the post and fell behind for a corner.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic, however. Mitchell done well down the flank to get the better of Akindileni and square to the waiting Hermiston who could only push his attempt well wide.

Hopkinson was called into action again to produce a fine stop to deny Stewart from just inside the penalty box, the midfielder on the end of Emslie’s cross.

Deveronvale had what they thought was strong appeals for a penalty when Mitchell was bundled over inside the penalty box but referee Darren Munro wasn’t to be swayed, and the cup tie continued.

With ten to play in the half, Herminston and Reid linked up nicely to set up Petermann with a strong chance to open the scoring, but the forwards touch deserted him at the crucial moment and a good chance for the hosts to open the scoring went abegging.

It was quickly becoming an open contest in Macduff. An Aberdeen corner at one end was met by another chance for Herminston at the other, again over the crossbar.

The deadlock was finally broken as the first half began to reach its conclusion. A free kick on the edge of the Deveronvale box after Wilson was fouled presented itself as an excellent chance for the Dons to end the half strongly and that is exactly what they did, with Stewart delivering a typically brilliant set piece that left Hopkinson rooted and the net rattling.

Half-time. Devernonvale 0-1 Aberdeen.

Aberdeen started the half strongly with Emslie having two dangerous looking efforts saved in the opening minutes. Bavidge had a golden chance to double his sides lead with a header from close range, his effort pushed wide.

The Dons were in the ascendancy at Princess Royal Park as the half continued but without a second goal the hosts were more than in the tie. A rare ‘Vale trip up the park earned a corner that produced a comfortable save out of Vitols from the header.

A counterattack led by Emslie presented Marshall with a chance to cut inside and try his luck, the midfielder denied by Hopkinson. Up the other end, Vitols was out quickly to make a smart stop to ensure the lead remained intact.

Ellis Clark was introduced from the bench after 72 minutes, he replaced U18 team-mate Fraser Mackie.

Yunus really should have done better for his side when he picked up the ball inside the penalty box as Aberdeen tried and failed to play their way out of trouble – the midfielder was unable to find a pass and the young Dons were able to regain possession.

A real moment of quality from Bavidge eight minutes from time ensured Aberdeen’s place in the next round. The forward took the ball down in his stride and worked his way around a selection of bodies before powering an effort post Hopkinson. The ‘Vale keeper was having an excellent game but there was nothing he could have done to prevent the second of the evening.

Bavidge would have been disappointed not to add a third goal not long after as he spun in the box, this time his shot wide of the mark.

The young Dons face a shorter away trip in the second round, where they will take on Dyce away from home: The tie set to be played the 11th of September.